The Last Mrs. Parrish

by Liv Constantine

  Daphne started to say something and then seemed to think better of it. “It’s fine.”

  A glass appeared, and she poured herself a generous serving. “Mmm. Delish.” She took a deep breath. “So, how are things going at Parrish International? Jackson tells me you’re proving to be quite valuable.”

  Amber studied her for any traces of suspicion or jealousy but saw none. Daphne looked genuinely happy for her, but there was also a touch of concern in her face.

  “Is everyone treating you well? No problems, right?”

  Amber was surprised by the question. “No, none at all. I’m loving it. Thank you so much for recommending me. It’s so different from Rollins. And everyone is really nice. So, what was the big emergency?”

  “What?”

  “Jackson coming home—what did he need that disrupted your plans?”

  “Nothing. He just wanted a few minutes with me before I went out.”

  Amber arched an eyebrow. “A few minutes for what?”

  Daphne turned red.

  “Oh, that. He can’t seem to get enough of you. That’s pretty amazing. You’ve been married, what, nine years?”

  “Twelve.”

  Amber could tell she was making Daphne uncomfortable, so she switched tactics. She leaned in and lowered her voice. “Consider yourself lucky. One of the reasons I left home was because of my boyfriend, Marco.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I was crazy about him. We’d been dating since high school. He was the only one I’d ever been with, so I didn’t know.”

  Now Daphne was bending closer. “Didn’t know what?”

  She squirmed and made herself look embarrassed. “That it wasn’t normal. You know. That guys should sort of be . . . ready. I had to do things just to help him be able to make love to me. He told me I wasn’t pretty enough to get him excited without some help.” She was laying it on pretty thick, but it seemed like Daphne believed it.

  “The last straw was when he asked me to bring another man into the bedroom.”

  “What?” Daphne’s mouth fell open.

  “Yeah. Turned out he was gay. Didn’t want to admit it or something. You know how those small towns can be.”

  “Have you dated anyone since?”

  “A few guys here and there, but no one serious. Truthfully, I’m a little nervous about sleeping with someone again. What if I find out that it really was me?”

  Daphne shook her head. “That’s crazy, Amber. His sexual orientation had nothing to do with you. And you’re lovely. When you find the right man, you’ll know it.”

  “Is that how you felt when you found Jackson?”

  Daphne paused a moment, taking a sip of her wine. “Well . . . I guess Jackson swept me off my feet. My father became ill after we began dating, and Jackson was my rock. After that, things moved really quickly, and before I knew it, we were married. I never expected it. He dated sophisticated and accomplished women. I wasn’t quite sure what he saw in me.”

  “Come on, Daph, you’re gorgeous.”

  “That’s sweet, but so were they. And they were wealthy and worldly. I was just a girl from a small town. I didn’t know anything about his world.”

  “So what do you think it was that made you special?”

  Daphne refilled her wineglass and took a long swallow. “I think he liked having a blank canvas. I was young, only twenty-six, and he was ten years older. I was so focused on building Julie’s Smile, I wasn’t taken in by him. He told me later that he never knew whether the women he went out with wanted him or his money.”

  Amber found that hard to believe. Even if he’d been dead broke, he was still gorgeous, brilliant, and charming. “How did he know you didn’t care about his money?”

  “I actually tried to cool things off. He didn’t really turn my head. But then, he was so wonderful to my family, and they all encouraged me not to let him get away.”

  “See, you are lucky. Look how wonderful it turned out. You have such a great life.”

  Daphne smiled. “Nobody’s life is perfect, Amber.”

  “It sure seems it. It looks as close to perfect as you can pretty well get.”

  “I’m very fortunate. I have two healthy children. That’s something I never take for granted.”

  Amber wanted to keep things focused on marriage. “Yes, of course. But your relationship seems like a fairy tale from the outside. Jackson looks at you like he worships you.”

  “He’s very attentive. I suppose sometimes I just need a little breathing room. It can feel confining, having to fit into the mold of the CEO’s wife. He has high expectations. Sometimes I’d like to just sit around and watch House of Cards instead of going to another charity function or business event.”

  Oh, boohoo, Amber thought. It must be so hard to have to dress up in designer gowns and drink expensive wine and munch on caviar. She mustered a sympathetic look. “I can see that. I would feel so out of place having to do all that. But you make it look so easy. Did it take you long to fit in?”

  “The first couple of years were rough. But Meredith came to my rescue. She helped me navigate the treacherous social circles here in Bishops Harbor.” She laughed. “Once you have Meredith on your side, everyone falls into line. She’s been the foundation’s staunchest supporter—until you, that is.”

  “You must have felt very lucky. Sort of like I feel having you.”

  “Exactly.”

  The bottle was empty, and Amber was about to suggest they order another when Daphne’s phone lit up with a text.

  She scanned it, then looked at Amber apologetically.

  “It’s Bella. She’s had a nightmare. I need to go home.”

  That little brat. Even when she wasn’t present, she was messing up Amber’s plans.

  “Oh, poor darling. Does that happen often?”

  Daphne shook her head. “Not too often. Sorry to have to cut our evening short. If you don’t mind, I’ll have Tommy take me right away, then drop you home.”

  “Of course. Give her a kiss from Aunt Amber,” Amber said, throwing it out there. Why not elevate her status?

  Daphne squeezed her hand as they walked out to the waiting car. “I like that. I will.”

  Although she was disappointed that she wouldn’t get another glass of that divine wine, she’d gotten some of what she’d wanted: the beginning of a profile of Jackson’s perfect woman. She would build it, tidbit by tidbit, until she was an exact replica of what he found irresistible.

  Only she would be a newer, younger version.

  Twenty-Two

  Amber inhaled the intoxicating smell of the ocean. It was a perfectly gorgeous Sunday morning, and she and Daphne had already been out on the water for the last hour. Jackson was in Brussels on business, and Daphne had invited Amber to spend the weekend. She had been slightly dubious when Daphne suggested they go kayaking, as she’d never done it before and wasn’t sure she wanted her first foray to be on the deep waters of Long Island Sound. But she’d had nothing to worry about. The water was still as glass when they started out, and within a half hour, Amber was feeling sure and confident. They stayed close to the shore at first, and Amber marveled at the peacefulness of the early-morning quiet, the only sounds birdsong and the lapping of water against their paddles. Everything was still, so wonderfully devoid of the bustle and noise of everyday life. They glided along beside each other, both silent and content.

  “Shall we go out a little farther?” Daphne broke the silence.

  “I guess so. Is it safe?”

  “Perfectly.”

  Amber worked to keep up with Daphne’s sure strokes, breathing hard as she exerted herself. She was impressed with Daphne’s stamina. As they moved farther from shore, the water took on an entirely different aura. The first time a boat passed them, she thought she would be swamped by its wake, but the second time it happened, she got an adrenaline rush riding the small swells.

  “I love this, Daph. I’m so glad you made me come.”

&nb
sp; “I knew you’d like it. I’m glad. Now I’ll have a partner. Jackson doesn’t really enjoy kayaking. He’d rather be on the boat.”

  Well, Amber thought, the boat would be good too. She hadn’t been on his Hatteras yet, but she knew it wouldn’t be long before she got an invitation.

  “Don’t you like the boat?” Amber asked.

  “Oh sure, I like it, but it’s a completely different experience. It needed some work before going back into the water. Should be sometime in late June. We’ll all go out together. Then you can make your own judgment.”

  “What’s the name of it?”

  “Bellatada,” Daphne answered, her smile holding a touch of embarrassment.

  Amber thought for a minute. “Oh, I get it. The beginning of each of your names. Jackson’s three girls.”

  “A little silly, I guess.”

  “Not at all. I think it’s sweet.” Inwardly she was choking on her words.

  “Shall we head back? It’s almost ten.” Daphne looked at her watch and adjusted her visor.

  It didn’t take long to reach the beach in front of the house and deposit the kayaks. As they walked up the path to the house, the sounds of laughter and girlish squeals reached them. Bella and Tallulah were splashing around in the swimming pool with their father.

  Amber turned to Daphne. “I thought Jackson was coming back tonight.”

  “Me too,” Daphne said and picked up her pace.

  He looked up and ran a hand through his wet hair. “Hello, you two. Been out kayaking?”

  “We have. When did you get home? I’m sorry I wasn’t here, but I thought you were coming in tonight,” Daphne said, sounding strained.

  “We finished up last night, so I decided to fly home this morning.” Bella was holding on to his back and splashing with her feet. He turned to grab her, and she squealed with delight as he tossed her back into the water. She pushed up through the water and swam to him. “More, Daddy.”

  But he began walking to the shallow end of the pool, wiping the water from his face. “That’s all, sweetie. Time to take a break.”

  For once there was no obnoxious complaining from Bella. It had to have been a first.

  Jackson handed towels to the girls and started drying himself with his own. It was impossible not to look at his body, wet and glistening, as he stepped closer to Daphne and kissed her. “It’s good to be home,” he said.

  Daphne had asked Amber to spend the day, but now that Jackson was home, Amber knew she had to deliver the obligatory I-don’t-want-to-be-in-the-way speech. “I had a great time kayaking, Daph. Thanks a bunch. I’m going to let you have your family time now.”

  “What do you mean? You can’t leave yet.”

  “I really should. I’m sure Jackson would like to be alone with you and the girls.”

  “Nonsense. You know how he feels about you. You’re like family. Come on. We’ll have fun.”

  “Absolutely,” Jackson said. “You’re more than welcome to stay.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course,” Daphne said. “Let’s go inside and make lunch. Margarita is off this weekend, so we’re the cooks.”

  They worked together in the kitchen, but when they finished loading the tortillas with refried beans, veggies, and cheese, they didn’t end up with neat and beautiful burritos like Margarita’s.

  “They look pretty sad, don’t they?” Daphne said with a laugh.

  “What the heck. They’ll taste good, anyway.” Amber washed her hands and tore off a section of paper toweling while Daphne reached into a cabinet and pulled out two trays. “Here we go. I think everything will fit. We’ll eat outside by the pool.”

  “Oooh, yummy,” Bella called as they carried the food out.

  They sat, the five of them, under the large umbrella, the reflection of the sun on the turquoise pool water making shimmery diamonds and triangles. A slight breeze sliced through the warmth—a perfect late-spring day. Amber closed her eyes a moment, pretending this all belonged to her. If anything, the last few weeks had shown her that Daphne now considered Amber her closest friend and confidante. Last night, after the girls had gone to bed, she and Daphne had sat at the kitchen table and talked late into the night. Daphne had told her all about her childhood, how much her parents had tried to make their lives seem completely normal despite the illness that crouched in the background, ready to pounce without warning at any moment.

  “Mom and Dad encouraged Julie to do everything healthy kids can. They gave her the freedom to live her life the way she wanted, to try all the things she wanted to,” Daphne had said.

  At first, when Daphne talked about all the hospital stays, the hacking coughs that brought up gloppy mucus, the runny bowels and trouble digesting food, Amber had begun to feel sympathy. But when she compared her own childhood to Daphne’s, and even Julie’s, her resentment returned. At least Julie had grown up in a nice house with money and parents who cared about her. Okay, she was sick and then she died. So what? A lot of people were sick. A lot of people died. Was that a reason to make them saints? How about Amber and what she’d gone through? Didn’t she deserve a little sympathy too?

  She looked around the table at all of them. Bella, lazing back in her chair and swinging her legs back and forth, taking distracted bites out of her burrito without a care in the world, the pampered and indulged child of wealth. Tallulah, sitting up straight and concentrating on the lunch before her. Daphne, sun-kissed and casually beautiful, making sure her brood had refills and napkins and anything else they needed. And Jackson, the master of it all, sitting like a knighted lord watching over his vast domain and faultless family. Suddenly the terrible emptiness inside Amber was a physical gnawing, as if the very life were being squeezed from her. This was no time to go soft. She would win this time.

  Twenty-Three

  Things were so busy at work that Amber hadn’t seen Daphne in two weeks, since their kayaking day. But Jackson was out of town again, so she’d called Daphne to see if she’d like to see a movie, and Daphne had invited her to the house instead.

  She had started fantasizing about the day the house would belong to her. She wanted to leave her mark on it everywhere. On one occasion, when Daphne left her at the house alone to go pick up the girls, she’d tried on every pair of Daphne’s underwear. Sometimes she’d go upstairs and use Daphne’s bathroom, brush her hair with Daphne’s brush, apply a little of her lipstick. They almost looked the same, she would think as she looked in the mirror at herself.

  She arrived right at seven. Bella opened the door a crack and peeked out.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Hi, sweetie. Mommy invited me over.”

  Bella rolled her eyes. “We’re watching The Wizard of Oz tonight. Don’t try and change it to some boring adult movie.” She opened the door, then turned her back on Amber.

  Now Amber rolled her eyes. The Wizard of Oz. If she had to listen to Dorothy keep saying “There’s no place like home,” she might kill herself.

  “There you are. Bella said you were here. Come on in the kitchen.” Daphne appeared, looking perfect in a romper that looked very much like a Stella McCartney Amber had seen in a recent Vogue.

  Amber sat down at the enormous marble island.

  “Can I get you a drink?”

  “Sure, whatever you’re having.”

  Daphne poured her a glass of chardonnay from the open bottle.

  “Cheers.” Daphne raised her glass.

  Amber took a small sip. “I understand we’ve got The Wizard of Oz on tap for tonight.”

  Daphne gave her an apologetic look. “Yes, sorry. I forgot I’d promised the girls.” She lowered her voice so Bella wouldn’t hear. “Once we’re half an hour in, we can sneak into the other room and chat. They won’t notice.”

  Whatever, Amber thought.

  The doorbell rang. “Is someone else coming?” Amber asked.

  Daphne shook her head. “I’m not expecting anyone. Be right back.”

 
; A minute later, Amber heard voices, and then Meredith was there, following Daphne back into the kitchen. She looked determined.

  “Hi, Meredith,” Amber greeted her, feeling uneasy

  Daphne had a look of concern on her face and put a hand on Amber’s arm. “Meredith says she needs to talk to us in private.”

  Amber’s thoughts raced. Could she have discovered the truth? Maybe the photo from the fund-raiser had been her undoing after all. She took a deep breath to stop the hammering in her chest. No need to get upset until she heard what Meredith had to say. She rose from her stool.

  “Margarita, could you please feed the girls now? We’ll be back in a little while.” Daphne turned to Amber and Meredith. “Let’s go into the study.”

  Amber’s heart was still pounding as she followed them down the hallway and into the wood-paneled study. She stared straight ahead at the wall of books, willing herself to be calm.

  “Let’s all have a seat.” Daphne pulled out a chair and sat at the mahogany card table in the corner of the room. Amber and Meredith followed suit.

  Meredith looked at Amber as she spoke. “As you know, I run all our committee applications through a background check.”

  “Didn’t you do that months ago?” Daphne interrupted.

  Meredith put a hand up. “Yes, I thought I had. Apparently the agency misfiled Amber’s. They ran it last week and called me today.”

  “And?” Daphne prodded.

  “And when they ran the social, they discovered that Amber Patterson has been missing for four years.” She held up a copy of a missing person flyer, with a photo of a young woman with dark hair and a round face, who looked nothing like Amber.

  “What? That must be some sort of mistake,” Daphne said.

  Amber kept quiet, but her heartbeat slowed. So that was all. She could work with this.

  Meredith sat up straighter. “No mistake. I called the Eustis, Nebraska, records department. Same social security number.” She pulled out a photocopy of an article from the Clipper-Herald with the headline “Amber Patterson Still Missing” and handed it to Daphne. “Want to tell us about it, Amber, or whatever your name is?”